Device for using virtual mouse and gaming machine

Abstract

A virtual mouse device is preferably installed in a gaming machine, and serving as an input device. An image sensor unit is laminated on a specific area on a screen of a display unit, and detects fingers or a palm of a player that move on or over the specific area. The virtual mouse controller unit monitors the fingers or palm, and causes a virtual mouse to follow the fingers or palm within the specific area. If the fingers or palm moves out of the specific area, the virtual mouse controller unit then returns the virtual mouse to a default location. An input unit monitors the motion of the virtual mouse, and causes the display unit to move a mouse pointer on the screen depending on the amount and direction of travel of the virtual mouse.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and in particular a gaming machine comprising an input device using a virtual mouse.[0003]2. Background Information[0004]Gaming machines installed in arcades and casinos are generally remodeled at frequent intervals in order to continuously attract many players. Remodeling of gaming machines often requires replacement of the mechanisms thereof, such as mechanical reels and push buttons serving as input devices, in their entirety. Accordingly, mechanical gaming machines are being replaced with video gaming machines having little mechanical portions in order to facilitate frequent remodeling and maintenance thereof. For example, mechanical reels are replaced with video reels displayed in graphic form on a screen of an electric display device. Push buttons separately assigned to types of bets and paylines, a spin button or lever, and the like, are replaced with virtual but...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]The image sensor unit can detect the location of fingers and a palm of a user, even if the fingers and palm are separated from the surface of the screen. Accordingly, the virtual mouse controller unit can determine the location of the virtual mouse with a high degree of reliability when all the fingers and palm are lift from the screen temporally or accidentally. This allows the virtual mouse to respond to the action of the fingers and palm with a higher degree of stability than a prior art virtual mouse depending on detection of user's fingers or palm by using a touch panel.

[0012]If the fingers or palm moves out of the specific area, the virtual mouse controller unit then returns the virtual mouse to a default location. Here, the input unit keeps the mouse pointer or cursor at the last location. This allows a user to operate the virtual mouse in order to cause the mouse ...

Problems solved by technology

However, it is difficult to sufficiently ruggedize input devices separate from bodies of gaming machines such as mouses and keyboards.

Indeed, such input devices are required ...

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